Kite

ABSTRACT

A kite that is maneuverable from the ground and that has as part of its bridle device a laterally extending cord mounted on the kite frame for lateral movement and a movable member also mounted on the frame and attached to the bridle device for moving it in increments upon manipulating a kite controlling cord. This lateral movement of the bridle device changes the relative point of attachment of the cord to the kite, as desired, so that the flying characteristics of the kite are similarly altered.

United States Patent [191 Theis, Jr. May 29, 11973 KITE [76] Inventor: James v. Theis, Jr., 3324-13 'f Exami'fer-Duane western Avenue park Forest, 11L Assistant Exammer-Paul E. Sauberer 60466 Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & Mc-

Cord [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 123,671 [57] ST ACT A kite that is maneuverable from the ground and that [52] U.S. Cl. ..244/l55 A has as part of its bridle device a laterally extending [51] Int. Cl ..B64c 31/06 cord mounted on the kite frame for lateral movement [58] Field of Search ..244/ 155 A, 155 R, and a movable member also mounted on the frame 4 53 R and attached to the bridle device for moving it in increments upon manipulating a kite controlling cord. References Cited This lateral movement of the bridle device changes 1 the relative point of attachment of the cord to the UNITED STATES PATENTS kite, as desired, so that the flying characteristics of the 2,556,877 6/1951 Howard ...244/ 155 A kite are similarly altered. 2,613,894 10/1952 Howard ...244/l55 A 7 2,696,960 12/1954 Howard ..244/155 A 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented .May 29, 1973 3,735,949

INVENTOR. JAMES V. THEIS JR.

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ATTORNEYS.

KITE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved maneuverable kite in which the kite is manipulated from the ground by a cord in the customary manner and inwhich slackening of the cord moves a bridle to which the cord is attached laterally of the kite before the wind again exerts a lifting pressure on the kite so that successive such slackening on the cord moves the bridle in successive increments through a complete cycle.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the top of the kite but omitting the frame including the cross ribs for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the kite taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and showing the transverse ribs of the frame.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the kite taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the operating portion of the control system of the kite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The kite illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a frame having a longitudinally extending cross rib of upwardly bowed configuration as shown in FIG. 3 and an upwardly bowed transverse rib 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2. These ribs may conveniently be made of strips of wood in the conventional manner. The ends of the transverse ribs 10 and 11 are connected in a diamond shape by cords 12 extending between the four corners of the kite in the customary manner. The kite also includes a flexible sheet such as a sheet of paper attached to the cords 12, but this is omitted in the illustrated embodiment for clarity of illustration.

The kite is also provided with a bridle 13 to which is attached a cord 14 for controlling the kite from the ground in the customary manner. This bridle device 13 includes a closed loop 15 encircling the kite at the transverse rib 11 and this loop is held for lateral movement'relative to the kite by being slidably retained by end wire guides 16 at the opposite ends of the transverse rib 11.

As is shown in the accompanying drawings, the loop 15 is made up of two side parts 17 and 18 with the upper end of each being attached to a top connector 19 and extending in opposite directions through the guides 16 and down beneath the kite for attaching to a second connector 20- to which is also attached the maneuvering cord 14 which is manipulated from the ground in controlling the operation of the kite.

With this arrangement the bridle device 13 is movable linearly and laterally relative to the kite because of the sliding engagement of the cord in the guides 16.

' Any lateral movement of the bridle 13 will of course change the relative position of the control cord 14 relative to the kite so that the flying characteristics of the kite are changed. For stability the bridle also includes a rear cord 45.

In order to change the position of the bridle 13 and thus of the control cord 14 relative to the kite there is provided a movable shaft 21 here shown as a crank arm 22 that is movable in successive increments through a closed circuit with this movable crank arm 22 being attached to the bridle device by being attached to a first connector 19 as shown in FIG. 4 for corresponding lateral movement of the encircling loop 15 of the bridle device 13. With this construction the connector 20 and the bottom of the kite function as a securing means for attaching the ground control cord 14.

An important part of the control apparatus is an escapement mechanism 23 that comprises a hollow tube 27 mounted on the frame of the kite as by having wire legs 24 and 25 on opposite sides of the front end 26 and attached to the transverse ribs 11. A similar wire 44 supports the rear end of the tube 27 from the longitudinal rib 10. Located internally of the tube 27 are a number of heavy rubber bands 28 twisted as shown in order to exert a turning torque on the forwardly located star wheel 29 positioned within the hollow front end box 26. These bands 28 are connected to a forwardly extending axle 30 on which the star wheel 29 is mounted and the extreme front end of this axle 30 which extends beyond the hollow front 26 has attached to it the crank arm 22.

The star wheel 29 which as illustrated in FIG. 4 has four arms 31 spaced apart is constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the front of FIG. 4 by the prestressed heavy rubber bands 28 discussed above. This urging of the bands 28 holds one arm 31 against a stop 35 that forms part of an escape merit mechanism 23. As can be noted from FIG. 4 the stop 35 comprises an inwardly turned end on the escapement lever 32. This lever 32 also includes a second stop 46 that extends upwardly and inwardly so that when the stop 35 is engaged by an arm 31 the second stop 46 or lever end is positioned between this first arm 31 and the next arm 31 that is clockwise thereto. The escapement mechanism 23 with the spaced steps 35 and 46 are rotatable with a sleeve 33 about a shaft 34.

The end of the escapement lever opposite the wheel engaging end 35 is turned down and bent to form a loop 36 to which is attached one end of a connecting means cord 37 whose other end is attached to a second connector 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This cord 37 is provided with an elastic yieldable section 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which may comprise a rubber band.

The escapement mechanism 23 lever 32 is constantly urged in an upward direction by rubber bands 39 which are attached at one end to a loop 40 on the lever 32 and at the other end to a mounting wire 41 which is fixed to the top of the front end 26 containing the wheel 29. These bands 39 urge the escapement mechanism away from a stop base 47 and toward a second stop base 48 spaced therefrom.

In the position illustrated the upward force of wind resistance on the kite while the maneuvering cord is being held by an operator on the ground comprises the cord 14, connecting cord 37 and stressed yieldable section 38 which also may be a rubber band to retain the escapement mechanism 23 in the position shown in FIG. 4 against the stop base 47. Under these conditions the second connector 20 to which the maneuvering cord 14 is attached is in the position shown.

When it is desired to change the position of the connector 20 laterally relative to the kite, it is only necessary for the operator to release the maneuvering cord 14 momentarily so that it becomes slack. Before the wind can again catch the kite and take up the slack in the cord 14 the rubber bands 39 will turn the escapement mechanism 23 about the sleeve shaft 34 to move the wheel engaging stop 35 portion of the lever 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 to release its arm 31 and simultaneously move the arm 46 into position to be engaged by the next upward clockwise arm 31 which in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 is the arm extending upwardly and to the left. Thus the second stop 46 prevents the twisted rubber bands 28 from causing uncontrolled rotation of the star wheel 29.

Moments later, when the wind has again caught the kite and applied a pull to the maneuvering cord 14 the lever 32 which had been pulled by the rubber bands 39 against the stop base 48 will again pull the lever down against the stop base 47 with the result that the stop 46 is moved out of engagement with the next upper arm 31 so that it can snap down against the lower stop 35 or to the position shown. This 90 rotation of the star wheel 29 moves the crank arm 22 90 or from its horizontal position shown in FIG. 4 to a downwardly extending position. This, of course, shifts the entire bridle loop 15 to change the lateral position of the point of attachment of the control cord 14 to the kite and thus changes the flying characteristics of the kite.

As can be seen from the above description, repeated slackening on the control cord 14 causes the mechanism of this invention to shift the loop 15 in successive increments until after four such increments the point of attachment connector has been moved back to its original position shown in FIG. 4.

The slackening therefore permits maneuvering the kite from the ground merely by momentary slackening of the control cord when it is desired to change the flying characteristics of the kite. The only pre-energy other than that supplied by the wind and by the operator holding the control cord is the prestressing by twisting the rubber bands 28 before sending the kite aloft.

In order to permit this lateral rotational movement of the loop 15 through the eyelets or guides 16 the slackening of the pull on the control cord 14 removes friction of the loop 15 on these eyelets 16 so that the loop can move freely therein. Even with a moderate wind resistance the friction of the loop 15 on these eyelets 16 is tremendous so that the loop and the kite maneuver as if the loop were attached permanently. However, on slackening this friction is eliminated so that the shifting mechanism as described has no difficulty in moving the loop 15 through the eyelets 16.

This total 90 movement of one increment of the illustrated embodiment shifts the entire loop 15 a corresponding distance in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 by changing the position of the top connector 19. Various positions of this connector and thus of the loop 15 and bottom connector 20 are shown in the drawings. Thus in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the arm 22 extends vertically upwardly and the successive increments of movement moves it in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated by the arrow 43 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the crank arm 22 after it has been moved through this first increment of 90 where it is now horizontal.

The yieldable or rubber section 38 provided in the cord 37 prevents damage to the kite mechanism by excessive wind force or by excessive pulling force. It also permits compensating for the changing dimensions of the cord 37 as the lever 32 is rotated as described in its successive increments.

The outer end of crank arm 22 is provided with a sleeve 50 in which connector 19 is rotatably mounted.

As can be seen from the above description of the structure and operation of the kite, the invention permits changing the flying characteristics of the kite from the ground by a device that is simple in construction and operation. The force of the air resistance on the kite is used as an important factor in operating the mechanism that changes the flying characteristics of the kite. The single cord controls the flight of the kite in the usual manner and also permits shifting the point of attachment of the control cord relative to the kite laterally across the face of the kite. By successive operations the point of attachment of the maneuvering cord 14 is always brought back to the original starting point.

The escapement mechanism does not interfere with the normal flying operation of the kite as it is positioned on top of the kite and within upwardly concave boundaries of the ribs so as to avoid causing excess drag. It also balances the kite without requiring the usual tail. The escapement mechanism is very light in weight so that the entire kite can be made of light construction. The invention is applicable to large and small kites and under all conditions the entire adjustment is accomplished by the single cord which is also used to control the normal flight of the kite.

Having described my invention as related to the em bodirnent shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite movable in successive increments through a closed circuit constituting a complete cycle, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said cycle of increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stop in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull.

2. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member, urging means, movable stop and means for moving said stop comprises an escapement mechanism for imparting said lateral movement of the bridle with said escapement mechanism positioned to comprise balancing means for the kite as a substitute for a kite tail.

3. The kite of claim 2 wherein said kite frame isupwardly concave and said escapement mechanism located on top of the kite frame.

4. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member is mounted for rotation through a complete circle consisting of a plurality of said successive increments.

5. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a rotatable escapement mechanism and a crank arm to which said connecting means is attached for releasing the escapement mechanism for movement through a said increment upon each complete move ment of the crank arm.

6. The kite of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes yieldable means for varying the efiective length thereof.

7. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device extending laterally completely around said frame having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite movable in successive increments through a closed circuit constituting a complete cycle, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said cycle of increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stop in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull.

8. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device extending laterally completely around said frame and having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite for rotation through a complete circle consisting of a plurality of successive increments of rotation, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stop in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull. 

1. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite movable in successive increments through a closed circuit constituting a complete cycle, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said cycle of increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stop in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull.
 2. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member, urging means, movable stop and means for moving said stop comprises an escapement mechanism for imparting said lateral movement of the bridle with said escapement mechanism positioned to comprise balancing means for the kite as a substitute for a kite tail.
 3. The kite of claim 2 wherein said kite frame is upwardly concave and said escapement mechanism is located on top of the kite frame.
 4. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member is mounted for rotation through a complete circle consisting of a plurality of said successive increments.
 5. The kite of claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a rotatable escapement mechanism and a crank arm to which said connecting means is attached for releasing the escapement mechanism for movement through a said increment upon each complete movement of the crank arm.
 6. The kite of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes yieldable means for varying the effective length thereof.
 7. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device extending laterally completely around said frame having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite movable in successive increments through a closed circuit constituting a complete cycle, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said cycle of increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stoP in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull.
 8. A maneuverable kite, comprising: a frame; a bridle device extending laterally completely around said frame and having attached thereto a control cord for controlling the kite from the ground; means mounting said bridle device on the kite for lateral movement of the bridle device and thus the cord relative to said frame; a movable member mounted on said kite for rotation through a complete circle consisting of a plurality of successive increments of rotation, said member being attached to said bridle device for corresponding said lateral movement thereof and the attached cord; urging means attached to said movable member for urging said movable member successively through said increments; a movable stop for preventing operation of said urging means when the stop is in one position; connecting means between said bridle device and said stop at said control cord for holding said stop in said one position under the oppositely acting forces of air resistance and downward pull on said control cord; and means for moving said stop away from said one position to permit said operation of said urging means upon temporary release of said downward pull. 